Bomb scare proves a dud: Stolen vehicle recovery prompts report of a suspicious device, but no bomb found

A recovery of a stolen vehicle led to a bomb scare that shut down one of Ridgecrest’s busiest roads for a few hours on Monday.Ridgecrest Police officers responded to a bomb scare Monday afternoon at the corner of North Norma Street and West Coso Avenue.

A recovery of a stolen vehicle led to a bomb scare that shut down one of Ridgecrest’s busiest roads for a few hours on Monday.

Ridgecrest Police officers responded to a bomb scare Monday afternoon at the corner of North Norma Street and West Coso Avenue.

The scare started about 3:30 p.m. Monday when police were tipped off that there might be a suspicious device in a vehicle. But after shutting down North Norma Street and asking residents to consider evacuating, no bomb was found.

Officers closed Norma in both directions from West Las Flores Avenue to West Argus Avenue and all streets in a one-block radius.

Chief Ron Strand and Det. Ryan Sloan said officers were investigating a stolen vehicle recovery when the department received information about a suspicious device in the vehicle.

Sloan said the vehicle was stolen a few days ago.

He said officers recommended residents evacuate, but it was not mandatory.

Sloan said the department contacted EOD to conduct a search of the vehicle. No device was found.

Officers reopened Norma around 7 p.m.

Sloan said the case remains under investigation.

Kern County Fire Department Engine 74, Liberty Ambulance, Police and Community Together and the Community Emergency Response Team also responded.